General Consent Form For Medical Treatment – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine in light of known risks that their bodies should be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to provide treatment to patients they have to obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of the physical condition as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is provided. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the ability to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other cases patients might not be able convey their preferences to health workers. Under these circumstances the patient is considered not to possess the proper capacity to make decisions. An individual from the family or court appointed representative then, is allowed to provide informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example – may be determined as lacking the ability to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot take decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an General Consent Form For Medical Treatment
There are certain elements that are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits that come with refusing treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be documented in a written document however, they must have a discussion with the patient. In this way, he or will be able to comprehend all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any issues that may be arising.